In Santiago, Chile, the Latin American and Caribbean Energy Organization (OLACDE) presented the White Paper on Sustainable Mobility, a publication that brings together data, experiences, and proposals for advancing toward cleaner, more efficient, and more inclusive transportation in Latin America and the Caribbean. The event was held as part of the 10th Energy Week, organized by Chile’s Ministry of Energy and OLACDE, with the participation of leaders, experts, and decision-makers from the public and private sectors across the region.
During the presentation, OLACDE’s Executive Secretary, Andrés Rebolledo, stressed that “transportation accounts for nearly 40% of energy consumption in the region. A central part of decarbonization plays out there,” adding that sustainable mobility “offers unique opportunities to drive innovation, generate green jobs, and improve quality of life in our cities.”
The White Paper shows that Chile has achieved notable growth in electromobility, particularly in public transportation. In 2024, the number of light electric vehicles tripled compared to 2023, cementing the country’s position as one of the region’s leaders in incentives. According to the report, in 2022 Chile had 800 electric buses and 10 electric depots, and it is expected to reach 4,406 units and 55 charging points by 2025, bringing 68% of its public fleet to electric technology. This progress stems from a model of progressive tenders, the latest of which requires 100% of buses to be electric.
The document not only highlights progress in electromobility but also proposes a comprehensive vision of sustainable transportation, spanning from the electrification of public transit to the use of biofuels, sustainable aviation fuels (SAF), and green hydrogen.
At the regional level, the light electric vehicle fleet grew from 17,541 units in 2020 to 444,071 in 2024, placing Chile seventh in Latin America. Brazil leads in absolute figures, with nearly 125,000 units sold in 2024, more than double the 2023 figure. In relative terms, Costa Rica (15%), Uruguay (13%), and Colombia (7.5%) are the countries with the largest electric market share.
In terms of electric vehicles per capita, the five countries with the highest numbers at the close of 2024 were Uruguay, Costa Rica, Brazil, Guatemala, and Mexico. This growth is directly linked to effective public policies, such as tax incentives, tax exemptions, and direct subsidies, which have energized the market, particularly in the private-vehicle segment.
The report also reveals sustained expansion of electric public transportation in the region. As of December 2024, Latin America and the Caribbean had close to 6,700 electric buses, 32% more than in 2023, with an average annual growth rate of 33.5% since 2017. Chile and Colombia lead this process, followed by Brazil and Mexico. However, other countries such as Belize, Costa Rica, and Paraguay are advancing more slowly, reflecting gaps that require regional attention.
The White Paper on Sustainable Mobility emphasizes that the challenges go beyond the adoption of electric cars, requiring accessible and standardized charging infrastructure, robust regulatory frameworks, sustainable and scalable financing, and integrated urban and energy planning.
